I didn’t realize that being different from everyone else around you would be so hard. Here I am walking through the most powerful magic city on the continent. I’m not supposed to be here. I’m not allowed to be here. I’m not magical. I wasn’t even born here. But I’m here on a mission. My best friend, Nora, was kidnapped twice, and almost lost her powers permanently to a madman shape-shifter. I promised her mom that I would bring her home as soon as possible. And I intend to keep that promise.
I find the street cafe, ironically named after the capital city, Dandywolg. I walk inside, shivering because of the air conditioning. I get in line, noticing all the different people in the room. Some look like the elves from the books, and there are short fairies sitting in the back corner. I can see their white glossy wings behind them, and the elves’ pointy ears. I see the barista using her magic to create the beverages and foods without a care in the world. Magic is so exposed here; no one acts like there’s a regular human standing in the same room with them. I feel delighted to be invited into this different place. I’m lucky that my best friend, Nora, is one of them.
I'm allowed to be here only because I haven’t seen Nora in over a year. She almost lost her powers to an evil maniac shape-shifter during the summer. It just shows that she called me when she needed me the most — even if she exposed magic to me in the process.
“Hi, what can I get you today?” the barista behind the counter asks, and I suddenly come back to the reality that it’s my turn to order.
“I’ll have a black coffee to go, please.”
I hand her the money, when someone rams into me, spilling something hot on my clothes.
“Oh my God. I am so sorry!” The person looks up at me from his phone with a panicked expression. His cup is half empty, most of the coffee soaked into my shirt and jeans. Somehow, it isn't too hot for me. It is surprising, but not burning like I expected. The boy is wearing sunglasses and has pale white skin. He is wearing shorts and a sports team T-shirt, or at least that’s what I think it is.
I sigh. “It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not, I should’ve watched where I was going. Here, I can help clean that up.” He grabs a few napkins and starts dabbing at the coffee stains.
“Hey, it’s fine. It’s probably not going to come out that easily. This just gives me a reason to change.”
I smirk, and he throws the napkins in the trash. Then he takes off his sunglasses — it isn't even sunny today — and reveals his baby blue eyes.
“You’re probably right. And thanks for not making a big deal about it.” He smiles slightly.
“Don’t mention it.” I smile back.
He shuffles his feet awkwardly, then puts out his hand in an awkward way. “I’m Tim Sloan, an elemental wizard. And you?”
I chuckle at his formality. “Nice to meet you. I’m Alia, and not willing to share my last name yet, so don't ask.”
I don't think my last name sounds magical at all. And Nora would be pretty mad if anyone found out, since she's letting me stay with her — which is taking a huge risk, since it's illegal for regular humans to know magic.
“That’s fair. And beautiful name, by the way.” He grins.
“Thanks.” I smile again and look back at the barista, who sets my coffee on the counter. I go to collect it, and notice Tim following me.
He reads the label on the cup. “Black coffee, huh? Is that not too bitter for you?”
“You don't know me, so how would you know? And I love black coffee, thank you very much,” I argue.
Tim throws up his hands in surrender. “Good for you. Well, I guess I’ll see you around, Alia. Stay safe from those shape-shifters!”
Tim bites his lip and waves as he leaves the cafe, leaving me standing alone in confusion. Where did that shape-shifters bit come from? I’ve never made small talk with a stranger before. Let alone a magic stranger.
Back to the mission. I can’t keep getting sidetracked. Nora needs to leave this place before another shape-shifter tries to kidnap her. And it’s my duty as her best friend to bring her home in one piece, as soon as possible.
I find the street cafe, ironically named after the capital city, Dandywolg. I walk inside, shivering because of the air conditioning. I get in line, noticing all the different people in the room. Some look like the elves from the books, and there are short fairies sitting in the back corner. I can see their white glossy wings behind them, and the elves’ pointy ears. I see the barista using her magic to create the beverages and foods without a care in the world. Magic is so exposed here; no one acts like there’s a regular human standing in the same room with them. I feel delighted to be invited into this different place. I’m lucky that my best friend, Nora, is one of them.
I'm allowed to be here only because I haven’t seen Nora in over a year. She almost lost her powers to an evil maniac shape-shifter during the summer. It just shows that she called me when she needed me the most — even if she exposed magic to me in the process.
“Hi, what can I get you today?” the barista behind the counter asks, and I suddenly come back to the reality that it’s my turn to order.
“I’ll have a black coffee to go, please.”
I hand her the money, when someone rams into me, spilling something hot on my clothes.
“Oh my God. I am so sorry!” The person looks up at me from his phone with a panicked expression. His cup is half empty, most of the coffee soaked into my shirt and jeans. Somehow, it isn't too hot for me. It is surprising, but not burning like I expected. The boy is wearing sunglasses and has pale white skin. He is wearing shorts and a sports team T-shirt, or at least that’s what I think it is.
I sigh. “It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not, I should’ve watched where I was going. Here, I can help clean that up.” He grabs a few napkins and starts dabbing at the coffee stains.
“Hey, it’s fine. It’s probably not going to come out that easily. This just gives me a reason to change.”
I smirk, and he throws the napkins in the trash. Then he takes off his sunglasses — it isn't even sunny today — and reveals his baby blue eyes.
“You’re probably right. And thanks for not making a big deal about it.” He smiles slightly.
“Don’t mention it.” I smile back.
He shuffles his feet awkwardly, then puts out his hand in an awkward way. “I’m Tim Sloan, an elemental wizard. And you?”
I chuckle at his formality. “Nice to meet you. I’m Alia, and not willing to share my last name yet, so don't ask.”
I don't think my last name sounds magical at all. And Nora would be pretty mad if anyone found out, since she's letting me stay with her — which is taking a huge risk, since it's illegal for regular humans to know magic.
“That’s fair. And beautiful name, by the way.” He grins.
“Thanks.” I smile again and look back at the barista, who sets my coffee on the counter. I go to collect it, and notice Tim following me.
He reads the label on the cup. “Black coffee, huh? Is that not too bitter for you?”
“You don't know me, so how would you know? And I love black coffee, thank you very much,” I argue.
Tim throws up his hands in surrender. “Good for you. Well, I guess I’ll see you around, Alia. Stay safe from those shape-shifters!”
Tim bites his lip and waves as he leaves the cafe, leaving me standing alone in confusion. Where did that shape-shifters bit come from? I’ve never made small talk with a stranger before. Let alone a magic stranger.
Back to the mission. I can’t keep getting sidetracked. Nora needs to leave this place before another shape-shifter tries to kidnap her. And it’s my duty as her best friend to bring her home in one piece, as soon as possible.
To read Part Two, please click here.